Here is what you need to know on this Friday, May 16, 11 days before the start of OTAs. Nickel coverage The Redskins’ rookie minicamp gets underway today; the media will be able to watch on Saturday. Here are five things I’ll be looking for:

Who returns punts and kicks? This never was resolved last year and among the players signed and drafted so far, none is an obvious candidate. They probably won’t do much more than just catch kicks but seeing who does that could be the first piece of the puzzle.

Does Spencer Long play center? I’m not sure if they are going to have Long line up in the middle of the line this year. But they could get an idea of what he can do if they do put him at center for this. In particular, they will get an idea of if shotgun/pistol snaps will come easily to him.

What’s Gruden’s on-field demeanor? Is he a yeller? How much individual instruction/attention does he give players? Does he observe the defense at all?

How well does Cody Hoffman move? The 6-4 wide receiver out of Brigham Young is a fan favorite to make the roster. They might be on to something since the receiving corps lacks height and that’s something that Gruden has been known to favor. But he needs to learn how to fight his way off the line and run better routes if he’s going to have a chance.

How is Bashaud Breeland’s game speed? If he had shaved a tenth or so off of his 4.53 time in the 40-yard dash he might have been a first- or second-round draft pick. Players can make up for a lack of great foot speed with smarts. It will be interesting to see how well Breeland anticipates and tracks the ball in the air.

fantastic. looking forward to it. But Cody Hoffman isn’t going to make the team just because he is TALL. There is a reason he wasn’t drafted by even one single team, especially Cleveland who is in serious need.

Rich Tandler - May 16, 2014 at 10:15 AM

Is that just your opinion or did that come from Jay Gruden and/or Sean McVay?

StretchySkins - May 17, 2014 at 9:48 AM

lol. You’ll never let him live that down.

shermanp79 - May 16, 2014 at 10:36 AM

Cle were idiots knowing situation and not taking one! I have no clue how they take Manzeil and get him nothing. maybe Little shows up but they have nothing else except Jordan. I wouldn’t use them as any kind of example. They have talent on that Defense and they should have taken a few WRs if not one of the top 2 as their first. They have Hadden, they even let Ward their good S go. That owner is confused. I could go there as GM and do better,

shermanp79 - May 16, 2014 at 10:25 AM

I like them all! I wonder if Hoffman can catch the ball in traffic too. So many young WR have trouble with routes, if he can catch, they might b able to coach him up to be that RZ guy toward the middle of the season. I think it is a big hole with this team. The signing of Jackson and his big play ability helps this offense but in the next couple of years they will transform this group. No doubt Gruden wants them and the game is moving that way. I wonder what ppl would think about a Garcon for Andre Johnson trade??? How about if Grahmn starts getting cranky in NO? I would ship Garcon to NO. Thant is a better trade, will Garcon be here in a couple years? I like him but trying to figure a way to get some balance in that group. We would need to give more up for him anyway. We need our picks and building through the Draft is the cheaper way and I don’t want cap hell. I don’t know what Johnson would cost? He is injured a lot too. They both make us better even with loss of Garcon.

ET - May 16, 2014 at 10:54 AM

I am very curious to see what Long can do. Pre-draft assessments on him were very mixed—but Gruden and Allen clearly see something there.

Yea drafting a Guard in the third round with people like Kony Ealy on the board literally made me sick. Gotta ask yourself how far would Long have fallen, people like Skov and Bullough, legit Big ten talent fell out of the draft.

Brandon - May 16, 2014 at 6:51 PM

Ealy was not on the board when we picked Long in the third. Carolina drafted him in the second round.

I’m all in favor of a crowded receiving corps. I am hoping that Hoffman and Grant are as advertised and we can see them at 4 & 5 respectively and possibly have Aldrick compete to round off the corps. As for the LB situation I’m very excited about Murphy! Looking at his tape he reminds me a lot of Kerrigan, not as athletic but a great motor!

Hopefully Orakpo can have a big season and can force us to make a tough decision next offseason.